It’s great to see young people get involved in the shooting sports. It’s even greater when shooting activities can serve as a bond between parents and their kids. For this Sunday GunDay story, we feature two talented shooters who make NRL22 rimfire tactical competitions a “family affair”. This story features PRS ace James Jeffries, and his skilled step-daughter Kaelyn.

James and Kaelyn compete shoulder-to-shoulder in NRL-22 matches, a rimfire version of the NRL tactical series. James provided this “after-action” report after a recent NRL22 match in Las Vegas. James shot great, finishing second out of 120 competitors, just a single point behind the match winner.

NRL22 Matches Are Fun for the Whole Family

Competing in Las Vegas with my Step-DaughterReport by James Jeffries

Being a step-parent is not an easy job. Especially when your step-daughter is 15 years old and most of the time wants nothing to do with you. I put so much value in what the NRL22 has done by giving us parents a way to get our kids involved in something we love. NRL22 gives us another reason to bond and a place to spend time together while exposing the next generation to the love of shooting sports.

James watches step-daughter Kaelyn, who shoots a semi-auto Magnum Research Magnum Lite rifle.

The NRL22 is so focused on growing interest with our young guns and is totally committed to building upon the future of our sport through our youth. Travis, Brittney, and Tyler, THANK YOU so much for all you do for the NRL22 community and the difference you make for all of us parents with children participating in NRL22. You guys are awesome! I’m so proud to support this organization.

James shows off his standing skills. His Vudoo-actioned rifle in a Manners stock has the same ergonomics and cycling “feel” as his centerfire PRS rig.

Kaelyn Is a Born Competitor, with the Will to Win
Kaelyn is a competitor at heart and she doesn’t like to lose. She fought through and had many really good stages. When we got home she was really excited to tell her mom about all the fun things we did and the people she met this weekend in Vegas.

Father James Finishes Second Out of 120 Competitors
I was fortunate enough to mount a super-strong comeback on Day Two after a rather lackluster performance on Day One. I finished less than one shot away from winning the match which basically just makes me the first loser. Either way I’m pretty happy with a second place finish at the season championship with a crowd of 120 shooters. I couldn’t do it without support from my good buddies at Short Action Precision. You rarely ever see a prize table in the precision rifle community to which they haven’t donated… and they’re just downright good dudes.

Comments from Facebook Fans

James originally posted his Las Vegas NRL22 match report on the NRL22 Facebook Group page. There were some cool responses from Jim’s Facebook friends, AND from another member of the Jeffries family, Jim’s wife Kristen. She wrote: “I’m one proud Mamma!! So glad the two of you can share a passion!”

“My dad and I had our best bonding moments while shooting. I remember going to matches with him. You and Kaelyn are creating forever memories.” — Jessica M.

“Great shooting and more importantly, great parenting!” — Jeff Spalding

“Way to go. I am both a dad and step-dad.” — Jerry Kee

“I am so very happy for both of you and can’t wait to see you both again in this up-coming season.” — Travis Ishida, NRL Founder

Advice for NRL22 Competitors by James Jeffries

1. GET QUALITY GEAR — Invest in the best equipment you can afford. This includes the rifle, scope, and ammo. Rimfire 22s can be extremely finicky and it helps to have excellent gear to minimize the chance of anything weird happening during a match.

2. HAVE a PERFECT ZERO — I’m fanatical about having a perfect zero. Every thing you do the entire match is based on your rifle shooting POA/POI from your base-line. I prefer a 50-yard zero, but I know that other NRL22 competitors may favor a different zero yardage. Just make sure that your Zero is PERFECT at whatever distance you select.

3. PRACTICE — There are many ways to practice between matches. You can practice dry-firing on a simple dot target you put up in your basement or garage. Since .22 LRs don’t exhibit much recoil anyway, you’re not doing any training damage by practicing without live ammunition. [Editor: Always use a snap-cap during dry-fire exercises.]

4. HAVE FUN — One of the best things about NRL22 competition is the lower level of stress involved. I find that even at the larger 22 matches there seems to just be a more relaxed atmosphere and everyone is just having a great time. Don’t get your head wrapped around the competition and just enjoy your time spent with family and friends.

For years we have touted the advantages of Burris Signature rings, with polymer Pos-Align Inserts. PRS/NRL shooters take not — this technology is available in a beefier, heavy-duty ring system for tactical rifles. The impressive Burris XTR Signature Rings offer six (6) clamping bolts per ring plus strong, dual steel base-clamps that self-center on Weaver or Picatinny rails. These aluminum XTR Signature Rings provide strength and holding power, plus the key benefits of Pos-Align inserts. As impressive as XTR rings are — they aren’t that expensive, with 1″-diameter XTRs starting at about $90.00 per pair (30mm and 34mm XTRs cost a bit more).

The polymer inserts in Signature rings perform three key functions. First, the inserts provide full, uniform scope-to-ring contact, with no need for lapping. You get a very secure “grip” on your scope without ring marks. Second, the Pos-Align inserts can provide elevation “pre-load”. With eccentric (offset) inserts, you can raise the back of the scope relative to the front, gaining up to 54 MOA of built-in elevation, without the need for expensive tapered bases. Third, the offset inserts can be rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise to shift point of impact. This lets you zero your rifle easily while keeping the turrets in the center of their travel.

Burris XTR Signature Rings are offered in 1″, 30mm, and 34mm diameters, and three (3) different heights: 1″, 1.25″, and 1.5″. Each ring set includes two sets of concentric inserts and one set each of the following offset inserts: +/-5 MOA, +/-10 MOA, +/-20 MOA. These allow you to “pre-load” elevation and/or center up your cross-hairs.

How to Pre-load Elevation
To add elevation, set the Pos-Align Offset Inserts to raise the rear of the scope and lower the front. As long as there remains sufficient clearance between the front objective bell and the barrel, Burris recommends lowering the front of the scope the most and raising the rear of the scope the least. The amount of actual elevation “pre-load” will depend on the ring spacing (see chart). In the illustration, with 4.75 inches between ring centers, a +/- 20 MOA pair in the front combined with a -/+ 5 MOA pair in the rear will yield +25 MOA of total elevation. (If the rings are positioned further apart, you’ll get less elevation pre-load.)

Using Inserts to Adjust Point of Impact in Any Direction
Although it is convenient and most understandable to refer to the ring inserts as a “bottom” or “top” insert, the inserts may be rotated to any angle within the scope rings. This allows the shooter to correct the point-of-impact in any direction. The drawings below show how the inserts can be rotated to induce both elevation and windage changes at the same time.

The Legal Brief is a feature of TheGuncollective.com that focuses on firearms rules and regulations. In this Legal Brief video, Attorney Adam Kraut explains key State and Federal regulations governing firearms, and explains how to ensure compliance with all applicable laws.

This five-minute video explains barrel length rules for rifles and shotguns, and also explains the best (and most fool-proof) methods to measure your barrel. In addition, the video explains how to measure firearm overall length. A rifle or shotgun which is less than 26 inches overall can also be classified as a “Short-barreled” rifle/shotgun subject to the NFA. NOTE: Under federal law “If the rifle or shotgun has a collapsible stock, the overall length is measured with the stock EXTENDED”.

The ATF procedure to measure the length of a barrel is to measure from the closed bolt or breech face to the furthest end of the barrel or permanently attached muzzle device. ATF considers a muzzle device that has been permanently attached to be part of the barrel and therefore counts towards the length.

How to Measure Barrel Length: Drop [a] dowel or rod into the barrel until it touches the bolt or breech face, which has to be closed. Mark the outside of the rod at the end of the muzzle crown (if you don’t have a permanently attached muzzle device) or at the end of the muzzle device if it is permanently attached. Remove the rod and measure from the mark to the end of the rod. That is your barrel length[.]

Remember, if the barrel length is less than 16 inches, it is possible that the firearm could be a short barrel rifle (if you are building a rifle or it is already on a rifle) and if the barrel length is less than 18 inches, it is possible the firearm could be a short barrel shotgun (again if you are building a shotgun or it is already a shotgun). Both of these firearms would be subject to the purview of the National Firearms Act and would require the firearm to be registered accordingly.

How to Measure Overall Length:The overall length of your rifle or shotgun may also classify it as a Short Barrel Rifle or Short Barrel Shotgun. The overall length of a firearm is the distance between the muzzle of the barrel and the rearmost portion of the weapon measured on a line parallel to the axis of the bore. … If the rifle has a permanently attached muzzle device, that is part of the overall length. … If the rifle or shotgun has a collapsible stock, the overall length is measured with the stock extended.